Vending control apparatus



Dec. 18, 1962 R. l.. TIMMs VENDING CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1958United States Patent() 3,068,984 VENDING CONTROL APPARATUS Ross L.Timms, Akron, Ohio, assignor of ninety percent to Model VendingControls, Inc., Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio, and of ten percentto Oldham & Oldham, Akron, Ohio, a partnership Filed Aug. 6, 1958, Ser.No. 753,543 18 Claims. (Cl. 194-10) The presen-t invention relates tovending controls, and especially to money receiving, impulse generatingmeans in vending apparatuslto perform the actual money acceptance andarticle vending action.

Heretofore there have been different types of vending controls provided,but substantially all of such vending controls have been able .to acceptonly the proper amount oi money for a vending action. In some instances,change has been given for coins inserted into the apparatus by means .ofchange packaged inside the vended article.

As vending machines are moving into wider and wider commercialacceptance and use today, there has been a need `for a vending controlthat is readily adjustable to the vending of a plurality of differentarticles each of which may be sold for a different price and to acceptmoney for such vending actions-and return proper change where indicated.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a novel andimproved vending control characterized by its ability to accept avariety of denominations of money therein and to vend an article andreturn both pennies and nickels change, as 1'equired.

f Another object of the invention is to provide a vending control thatis adapted for` pre-select vending action on articles costing any priceand which can be converted readily for use only with articles costingeven nickel prices.

Another object of the invention is to provide -a vending control ofrelatively uncomplicated construction made from a minimum number ofparts but having a wide range of vending of diiierent items at differentprices.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pair of connectionpanels in association with stepping switches for lregistering deposit ofdiierent value coins in the apparatus so that the vending of a number ofdifferent items for dilierent prices can readily be provided and set upin the vending control. v

Another object of the invention is .to provide a vending controlsubstantially divided into two parts, one of which is 'a S cent impulseand registering circuit and with the other one being the penny controland registering circuit portion of the vending apparatus.

3,068,984 Patented Dec. 18, 1962 ice Attention now is particularlydirected to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is an electrical diagram, somewhat schematic, sho-Wing the vendcontrol circuit embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detail of a portion of a motor control circuit shown morebroadly in FIG. l; and

FIG. 3 is a `detail section of another portion of the circuit of FIG. 1showing a control relay and control cam -in the ten cent, quarter, andsimilar portions of the apparatus. When referring to correspondingmembers shown in the drawings and referred to in the specitic-ation,corresponding numerals are used to facilitate comparison therebetween.

In the particular embodiment of the invention to be considered herein,it is described with reference to the vending of an item costing ascovered by one button in -a multi-contact, push button, pre-select typeof a vend control switch.

Vending Control-General Structure The vending control apparatus of theinvention is indicated as a whole by the numeral `1. Such vendingcontrol has kas its principle components, a money receiving unit, ormoney receiver 2, which sends out impulses to the remainder of thecontrol apparatus dependent upon the amount and denomination of moneydeposited. A pair of multiple-contact relays 3 yand 4 are used in thecontrol, as are a pair of stepping switches 5 and 6 that have control orstepper relays 7 and Sprovi-ded therefor.

Other main components of the ven-ding control include a pair ofconnection panels or boards 9 and 10, respectively, that `areconnectedto and yassociated with the stepping switches 5 and 6,respectively. A. multiple button, multiple contact vending controlswitch 11 is yet a further main component of thevendin'g control whenthe vended articles are pre-selected.

Money Input .quarters and half dollars therein. When desired, the

money receiver also can be provided withmeans for accepting eithersilver dollars or paper dollars, as de- Y sired, dependent upon themaximum cost of any vended Another object of the invention is to providespecial controls for operative motors in the vending control so that oneimpulse can be used to actuate control motors and drive them through onerevolution so that live penny impulses, for example, can be providedfrom the 5 cent impulse portion of the vending apparatus for use in thepenny registering or control portion of the apparatus.

Further objects of the invention lare to provide a com# vending -orpenny change return action.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the i invention willbe made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

article in the apparatus to which the vending control is connected.

When a penny is deposited in the money receiver Z, it closes a conta-ct(not shown) in the money receiver 2 and causes an impulse to be senttherefrom through a lead"12. Such lead 12 connects to a normally closedswitch 13 provided |in the relay 4 and controlled thereby. Such switch13 connects to a lead 14 that extends to the operating coil 15 for therelay 8 of the second stepping switch 6 which is in thi-s apparatus thepenny stepping switch. By actuation of this control relay 8, the yrelayactuate's a spring controlled detent 16 that engages notches 17 on someportion of the stepping switch 6 to move such stepping switch one st epand a stationary pointer or contact arm 18 provided therein is therebybrought into engagement with ajterminal button, or equivalent contact 19provided on the stepping switch-6. A plurality of these contacts 19,2t), 2.1, etc. are provided on the stepping switch and eachpennydeposited Vinto the money receiver 2 obviously lsteps or moves Vthestepping switch 6 one step further to bring the contact into engagementwith another one of the contacts provided to register deposit of a pennyin the apparatus. Normally only iive of these terminals would be presenton the penny stepper switch 6.

On the connection panel 10, a plurality of terminals 22, 23 and 24, etc.are provided to control vending circuits by the cents portion of thearticle price. Thus leads 25, 25a, 25b, etc. are shown to connect thepenny stepper contact arm 18 to such terminals that are connected tocontacts (hereinafter described) in the control switch 11 by leads 300through 304, respectively. The contacts in the switch 11 normallyconnect to a power supply line by a lead 26.

Normally conventional llO volts A.C. current is provided for operatingthe vending control 1 and power supply leads 27 and 28 are shown. Thepower lead 27 is shown connected to the money receiver 2 by a lead 29 toprovide a power source for sending informational and control electricalimpulses from such money receiver dependent upon the money deposited.The operating coil 15 for the stepper switch 6 connects to the powerlead 2S to complete the penny impulse circuit.

Two contacts, or switches 122 and 123 are carried by the penny stepperswitch or plate 6 and are closed at the zero position thereof. Switch122 connects to an actuating coil 124 for a relay 125 that controls anormally open switch 126 in a lead 127. Lead 127 connects power lead 27to a switch 128 controlled by the relay 3. The switch 122 connects tothe lead 12 by a lead 12a so that an impulse is received by the relay125 through the switch 122 and provides a power impulse in its circuit,when the penny stepper switch is at its zero position. Such impulse tothe relay 125 actuates it and closes contact 126 to send an impulse tocontact 128 and lead 30 to actuate the 5 cent stepper switch 5, ashereinafter described. After the penny stepper switch 6 has been moved astep or more, the contacts or switches 122 and 123 are opened. A switch123 is connected to the stepper switch 6 to be closed when the stepperswitch 6 is in its zero position. If sufficient money has been depositedin the money receiving member 2 as to actuate the stepper switch 5 untilthe contact arm 35 contacts the hot contact member 37, 38 or the like,and the switch 6 has not been actuated but the relay 3 has beenactuated, then a special impulse will be sent through the contact 92 andterminal 93 through such closed switch 123 to the terminal A of themotor 96 whereby the motor will be caused to operate through onerevolution, and the stepper switch 6 will in turn be given increments ofmovement through the switch 97 and contact 99 until such penny or lowermoney indicating switch 6 has been moved over to its hot contact 19, 20and like for vend action, or coin return, as required.

Now when a nickel is deposited in the money receiver 2, an electricalimpulse passes from the money receiver by a lead 30 that connects to anormally closed switch 31 provided in the relay 3. This impulse comesfrom a normally open switch (not shown) in the money receiver 2 andtemporarily closed by deposit of a nickel.

From the normally closed switch 31, the impulse is passed to a lead 32that connects to an operating coil 33 for the control relay 7 that movesthe stepping switch 5. Lead 32a connects the coil 33 to the oppositepower lead 28 to complete the power supply circuit for ve cent impulses.Switch 128 also connects to the lead 30 so that, before actuation of thecontrol relay 3, the rst impulse of the penny stepper switch 6 alsoprovides an impulse to the iive cent stepper switch 5. In this instance,the stepping switch 5 is a nickel indicating or registering switch andactuation of the control coil 33 of the control relay 7 causes a controlnger or detent 34 to be actuated and index or move the stepping switch 5one unit. Thus, a Stationary contact arm 35 associated with the steppingswitch 5 is Ybrought from engaging a zero terminal or contact 36 overinto engagement with a terminal 37 which is the Zero to five centindicating terminal for the vending control. Thus other terminals 38,39, 40 and 41 are provided, with as many other of such terminals as arerequired to indicate the cost of the article to be vended and With suchterminals all being provided in ve cent increments to cover ranges oftive cents in the vended article price. These terminals 37 through 41are suitably connected to contacts or terminals 42 to 48 on theconnection panel 9. A number of vending control leads 49, 49a, 50, 50aand 51 can be connected to any desired ones of the contacts 42 through48 shown on the connection panel 9 and respectively extending to thecontacts or terminals 37 through 41 on the stepping switch 5 to showdeposit of up to 5d, 10, 15d', etc. into the apparatus. These leads 49through 51 connect to individual contacts 52 through 56 provided in avend control switch (hereinafter described) in the apparatus of theinvention. Such contacts 52 through 56 can be connected to the lead 26which extends to a power supply lead by the vend control switch 11.

As indicated, the money receiver 2 has a plurality of separate receivingcompartments therein for the dilferent coins to be accepted to actuatethe vending control. Thus, FIG. 3 of the drawings shows a portion of onespecial impulse or actuation circuit associated with the dime receivingsection of the money receiver 2. In this instance, the receipt of thedime in the money receiver 2 causes a normally open switch 7G therein tobe temporarily closed. Temporary closing of the switch 70, FIG. 3, sendsan impulse through a lead 71 to the operating coil 72 for a furthercontrol relay 73. The relay 73 controls a plurality of switches orcontacts 74, 75 and 76, therein, all of which are normally open untilthe relay 73 is actuated, being simultaneously closed thereby. Theclosing of the relay 73 starts a motor 77. The motor 77 is connected tothe power supply lead 28 by a lead 78, whereas a second power supplylead for the motor 77, lead '79, connects to the contacter switch 76. Alead 80, in turn, extends from such contact back to the power lead 27.Thus as long as the control relay 73 is actuated, power is furnished forthe motor 77.

The holding in of the relay 73 is effected by the contact 74, closed byactuation of the relay, connecting through a lead 81 to a multiplecontact switch indicated as a whole by the number 82 that is controlledby a two-lobed cam 83. This cam 83 is positioned on a drive shaft 77a ofthe motor 77 and rotates therewith. A pivotally positioned contact arm84 is provided in the switch 82 to engage and be controlled by the cam83. One lobe 83a on the cam 83 is slightly smaller than a second lobe83b provided thereon. A contact 85 in the switch normally engages asecond contact S6 which in turn is connected to the power lead 27 by alead 35a. This completes energization of the coil 72 for one revoiutionof the motor 77 as described. As the cam 33 is rotated, the contact arm84 is caused to engage a contact 87 once for each lobe of the cam, whichcontact 87 connects to a contact 88 in the relay 73. Contact S8 is inengagement with the contact 75 that connects to the lead 3G so that asthe contact arm 84 is brought into engagement with the contact 37 twicefor each rotation of the cam 83, two impulses are sent to the lead 3dfor actuating the nickel stepper portion of the apparatus. The contactarm 84 carries an insulation spacer 89 thereon that is caused to engagethe contact 86 when the larger cam lobe 8311 engages the arm 84 and thisbreaks the'contact between contacts 85 and 36 and opens relay 73 and thesets of contacts controlled thereby.

A lead 76a connects the motor 77 to the contact 87 to receive energytherefrom when the contact arm 84 engages such contact 87 by one of thecam lobes 83a or 83b forcing such arm 84 into engagement with thecontact 57. Thus when the contact arm S4 and contact 87 are engaged,energy will tiow from the power supply lead 27 to the motor to energizeit through lthe leads 76a and 78 and produce continued motor operationeven though the longer contact lobe 83b of the cam has caused thecontacts 85 and 86 to be opened and the relay 73 to be opened. Thisprepares the circuit of FIG. 3 for a new cycle of operation. When therelay 73 is energized, the contact arm 76 also engages the lead 79 tomaintain en ergization of the motor through the lead 80 that extends tothe power lead 27.

Likewise, a similar control relay to that relay 73 described forrecording deposit of a dime in the apparatus of the invention isprovided should the money receiver also be adapted to receivetwenty-tive cent pieces, fifty cent pieces, one dollar pieces, or dollarpaper money, so that a plurality of impulses will -be fed into thestepping switch circuit to actuate it a desired number of jumps, eachindicating ve cents received in the vending control 1.

When sufcient money has been fed into the vending control 1 that thestepping switch 5 has been moved over to have the contact arm 35 engagethe terminal 4111 to which the output wire 51 is connected, then currentwill flow through the contact arm 35 and associated lead 90 thatconnects to an operating coil 91 for the relay 3 which will then beactuated, as later described parts of the control switch 11 completethepower circuit.` At such time, a switch 92 that normally connects to anescrow, or control portion of the relay 7 will `be connected to acontact 93 which has a lead 94 extending therefrom. A power supply lead92a connects to the switchv 92 to supply power thereto-so that itsclosing sends a power impulse to the penny control portion of thecircuit by the lead 94 as next explained. Such lead 94 connects to apower impulse distribution lead 95 provided in the penny stepper andpenny change portion of the circuit. An impulse from the live centcircuit, when no pennis have been deposited but where sufficient moneyfor vending action has been deposited in the receiver 2, is sent to apower circuit for a motor 96 through the normally closed contact orswitch 123 and a lead 123.11 extending therefrom to provide power tosuch motor for rotation thereof through one revolution. Lead 123aconnects to contact A for the motor 96, the opposite terminal C of whichconnects to power lead 28 by lead 196. The details of the motor controlcircuit are shown in FIG. 2, and the motor 96 may be the same motor asthat one referred toA hereinbefore as the motor 77. A control cam 96a ison an output shaft 197 of the motor 96 and holds a switch 96b closedagainst a contact 198 once the motor 96 is started to rotate. Thecontact 198 (terminal B of the motor control) connects to the power lead27 by lead 199 to maintain motor energization after a power impulsestarts motor 96. The motor shaft 197 also has a suitable switch 'orcontact arm` 97 controlledthereby through a cam plate 98 on the motorshaft. Rotation of the cam plate 98 will actuate the contact arm 97 andmoveit to engagea contact 99 five times for one revolution of the motor96. Contact 99 (control terminal D of the motor) connects to the pennyimpulse lead 12 by a lead 100, and contact arm 97 connects to controlterminal B of the motor 96. Thus, each closing of the contact arm 97 andcontact 99 sends an impulse to the output lead 100 in the penny handlingportion of the vending control. Such lead 100 connects to the lead 12extending from the penny input portion of the money receiver 2 to theswitch 13 so that impulses controlled by the cam plate 98A pass to theswitch 13. Such impulses pass` to the lead 14 and actuating coil 15 tostep the penny stepper switch 6 iive times until its contactl arm 18engages Vthe terminal, or contact to which the vending control, orpowerlead 25d is connected. v

Bringing the contact arm 18 intol engagement with the proper terminal2lb closes a power circuit from lead 92a and switch 92 through anoperating coil 101 for the control relay 4 to switch 11 and power lead28 and actuates such relay 4 to bring the switch 13 into engagement witha contact 102 attached to a lead 103. Lead 103 extends back to powerlead 28 through an actuating coil 104 for a penny change unit, or returnindicated by the numeral 105. Hence, after the penny stepper Switch 6has been placed in the proper position for article dispensing action,any extra impulses supplied by the motor 96 will be transmitted to thepenny return 105 and return proper penny change to the person placingexcess money in the vending machine. iFor the article costing 35, nopenny change, of course, will be returned as all five impulses in thepenny circuit are required to bring contact arm 18 into engagement withthe terminal 2lb.

Actuation of the control relay 4 also operates a switch 58 therein thatengages a lead 59 that connects through a transformer 60 to the powersupply lead 27 in the circuit. The switch 58 now will connect lead 59 toa lead 106 that extends to a vending control 107, that, for example, isrelay operated and a power supply circuit is closed therethrough bymeans described hereinafter.

It should be noted that the apparatus of the invention is a pre-selecttype of a circuit so that the person using the apparatus 1 will selecthis desired item by pushing one of the plurality of control buttons 108,109, 110, 111, or 112 of the multi-contact switch 11 prior to insertingmoney into the receiver 2. Specifically button 111 would be pushed in toselect the 35 item as the article to be vended, and FIG. l shows thebutton in an actuated position. Each of the switches 108 through 112 isshown as controlling three different contacts 113, 114 and 115, one ofwhich contacts is in the ve cent stepper circuit, the penny steppercircuit, or the power circuit for-the vending control 107, respectively.One side of each of the contacts 113, 114 and 115 of each control buttonis connected to the power supply lead 28 by the lead 26, and the otherside of each of the contacts 113 and 114 connects, respectively, to abutton or terminal on the tive cent control panel board 9, or to acontrol contact, terminal, or button on the penny connection panel 110.FIG. l shows that the non-depressed control buttons have the contacts113, 114 and 115 thereof in three closed series circuits. The switch 11is of conventional construction and other equivalent means may besubstituted therefor. The switch 11 includes terminals 116 through 120controlled by the contacts 114 of the control buttons 108 through 112,respectively. In the example given, the terminal 119 connects to thelead 25d to close the penny control circuit for the desired vendingaction for the article controlled by control button 111 Additionalterminals 121 through 125 in the switch 11 have circuits closedthereto-by the contacts of the individual push buttons 108 through 112.Such terminals 121 through 125 connect to operating coils 126 through130 of the Vend control relay 107 by conventional leads for articlevending action for the different items, or vending actions, controlledby the push buttons 108 through 112, respectively.

In order to have any vending action by the apparatus previouslydescribed, it will be seen that the operating coils 126 through 130 ofthe vend control relay V107 are supplied by power through the switch 58in the control relay 4, which must be actuated from its normal positionbefore a circuit is formed therethrough, whereas the opposite side ofthe power line for the vend control action comes through the lead 2,6.Such control relay 4 is only actuated when suiiicient money has beenregistered on the two stepping switches provided for vend action. Thus,both stepping switches 5 and 6 must have been stepped aroundsufficiently tovcomplete circuits therethrough for actuation of therelays 3 and 4 before any vend action can beobtained.

Assuming that the article costs 35 as set up for the v push buttoncontrol l111 in the example given herein, it

cient pennies, nickels, dimes or quarters or other monies must besupplied to the apparatus as to provide such action on the steppingswitch which will close a circuit through the actuating coil 91 for thecontrol relay 3 so that power will be transmitted to the motor 96 tocause it to actuate the penny stepping switch or register 6. Thus,inasmuch as the lead 25d connects to the 5 terminal of such steppingswitch, the motor 96 will operate through one revolution and will movethe penny stepper switch live steps to close the power supply circuitthrough the penny stepper portion of the apparatus. No'actuation will besupplied to the stepping switch 5 upon initial actuation of the pennystepper switch 6 by the last nickel deposited in the apparatus whensufficient silver has been deposited to cover the article purchase cost.That is, the control relay 3 will have been actuated when a powerimpulse is transmitted to the penny stepper switch by the last nickeldeposited so that when the relay 125 closes the normally open contact126 in the lead 127, such actuation is merely transmitted to the opencircuit provided at the switch 128.

It will be realized that should the item cost an odd number of penniesand an additional or excess of amount of nickels or dimes have beenplaced in the apparatus, then after the penny stepper switch has reachedthe amount of pennies involved, such as two for the 32 item covered bythe push button control 10S, the three additional impulses provided foractuation of the stepping switch 6 will be transmitted through thecontact 13 to the penny return apparatus 105 to actuate it three timesfor return of three pennies change to the person purchasing the item at32 after having deposited a 35 total.

As an important element of the present invention, in order to completethe operative structure disclosed, it should be noted that escrowcontrol apparatus for the money deposited is connected to the contact131. This escrow apparatus is, for example, of the general typedisclosed in my prior U.S. Patent No. 2,800,988, dated July 30, 1957,and wherein a push button control would be provided so that if theprospective purchaser decided not to buy an item after starting thedeposit of money into the control apparatus 1, such person could havehis money returned from the escrow means provided by pushing such escrowbutton. This would return his money to him and would cause a resettingof the penny and nickel stepping switches in accordance with the usualrelease action and reset action for this apparatus. When the controlrelay 3 has been actuated by deposit of suflicient money into theapparatus for article vending action, the escrow apparatus is renderedinoperative by the switch 92 moving over into engagement with thecontact 93.

The escrow control contact 131 connects to a control push button 200that would be manually depressed by the operator of the apparatus shouldbe desire money returned. Closing such push button switch 200 connectspower lead 27 to an armature operating coil 201, that in turn connectsback to the power supply lead 28 to actuate a solenoid 202 and returnthe money deposited. Should contact 92 -be closed to lead or contact 93,then the power supply from lead 27 is connected to a coil 203 of thesolenoid 202 and moves it in the opposite direction. Hence, moneyaccepting plates 204 and 205 are turned so that money is depositedtherefrom into the coin receptacle within the apparatus of theinvention.

The apparatus of the invention can be modied to provide post selectionaction for vending. Generally, the same control circuit would be used,but a special control motor would be provided for operating the nickelstepper` switch 5. Such control motor would be energized through theindividual push button control of article selector switch 11 and wouldstep the stepper switch 5 backwardly and control the contact arm 35 topermit such action. Thus, when the contact arm 35 would hit a hot leador contact on the stepper switch, the relay 3 would be actuated andimpulses would be transmitted to the penny control portion of theapparatus as in the other embodiment for article vending action and forpenny change return. The ymotor would continue operation until theapparatus was returned to its original or zero condition, or other resetaction could be effected. The money, as deposited, would register on thestepper switches in the usual` manner, and the nickel change would bereturned by the steps of the switch 5 required to reach article vendposition.

When excess silver is deposited over the even nickel price of a vendedarticle as registered on the nickel stepper switch 5, actuation of therelay 3 closes contact 31 to lead 31a. Lead 31a connects to a nickelreturn unit 206 and then to power lead 28. Hence, such excess nickeldeposit impulses pass to the nickel return unit 206 and both pennies andnickels can be simultaneously returned by the apparatus.

Should it be desired to vend articles at only even 5 figures, the pennystepper switch 6 and all means generally associated therewith would beeliminated. The lead 94 would connect to the lead 106 and close thearticle vend circuit on actuation of the control relay 3. The l portionsor contacts in the switch 11 also would be eliminated.

Deposit of a penny, after say, for example, of 25, would actuate thepenny stepper' switch 6 one notch and would move the stepper switch 5one notch. Hence items costing 26 to 30g/* could be vended by deposit ofproper change in the apparatus.

In order to aid in resetting the apparatus and to provide for deposit ofmoney received in the escrow portion of the apparatus into a storage'box in the apparatus, any suitable means can Ibe provided. Thuspreferably each one of the leads `160 connecting one of the contacts 121through to the operating coils of the vend relay 107 could, for example,have a micro-switch provided therein. In the switch 150, a contact arm151 thereof is positioned to be engaged `by an article 152 to ibe vendedfrom the machine so that the contact 151 normally would engage anothercontact 153 to close the vend circuit should the article ,be on the arm151 to hold it in proper engagement. Naturally the article 152 willsuitably be ejected from the apparatus. Should no article be present forvending action, then the contact arm 15-1 is normally up in engagementwith a second contact 154 provided in the switch 150. Such contact 154extends over to the escrow position of the apparatus to actuate the coil201 of such escrow means and return the money to the person using themachine through the money return chute. AlsO, each of the leads has anoperating coil 155 of a relay 156 that is the hold member provided forretaining the stepping switches 5 and 6 in a given position connectedtherein. Actuation of the relay 156 releases a lock finger 157 for eachstepping Vswitch so that springs 121 and 121:1 will automatically returnsuch switches to their normal zero position and the apparatus will beready for further use.

It should lbe realized that the vend control action can be controlled bya solenoid, by a time delay relay, by a magnetic switch, or by anysuitable means.

Note that the types of contacts or terminals provided on the controlpanels 9 and 10 are of the type that can be removably stacked on top ofeach other so that a plurality of leads from the different controlbuttons for vend action can be stacked on top of each other forconnecting a plurality of leads to the one terminal on the vend controlpanel.

It will ybe understood that the control circuits provided for the 25 and50d registering portions of the apparatus would lbe the same as thatdisclosed for the 10 control apparatus in FIG. 3 'but that 5 or l() livecent impulses would be provided thereby by ve or ten lobed cams.

If desired, the stepper switch 5 could be used to record any otherdenominations of money such as l0 or quarters therein, and that thestepper switch 6 then could be used to record the deposit of a loweramount of money, such as a penny or a nickel therein. Suitableadjustment would be made in the contacts and terminal means provideddependent on whether the articles vended would be vended at even pricefigures such as 10, l5, or whether penny change would also -be involved.If Odd figures are involved, then obviously the penny stepper switchwould have to be provided with more contacts so that 8 change, forexample, could be provided.

It is possible to provide two sets of differently spaced contacts on onestepping switch and to connect two control circuits thereto `for vendingcontrol and/or action. Also rather than such circuits being in seriesconnection, they may be in parallel if the circuit for the largerdenomination coins has a relay coil, or other element therein to beactuated when suiiicient money of such larger denomination has beendeposited into the apparatus for operation of the control relay 3, asshown. Such relay coil or other element would be used to close a contactin the lower denomination circuit from which vend acl tion would lbefinally controlled.

' By use of the apparatus of the invention, one added re-v lay, controlrelay 4, can change the control from single coin operation to multiplecoin operation and to multiple coin change action.

The control can send an impulse to a remote point, such as a washingmachine, and can close a timer circuit therefor for washing machineaction, the length of which Iwould be determined by the amount of moneydeposited. Hence one push button 108 might require 25 deposit formachine operation for 15 minutes and button 109 could require 50 depositfor operation of a controlled machine for 40 minutes, for example. Orthe apparatus could even vend a quantity of soap or detergent and alsocontrol a washing machine operative period.

i vFor simplication in the drawings, only one microswitch 150 is shownin one lead 160, but each such lead has a similar switch connectedtherein.

The reset relay 156 is shown at switch 5, but a similar relay, or a lockiinger (not shown) controlled thereby is also provided for the switch 6.In other words, a unitary reset means is provided for the two switches 5and 6.

The reset action can be controlled directly Iby the vend flapor door 250in the apparatus. Normally a microswitch 251 is closed by vend movementof the door 250 4and it completes a power circuit to a reset relay 252which controls an arm 253 ,connecting to the control switch 11 to resetit for further action.

From the foregoing it is seen that a novel, etfective vend control hasbeen provided and that the objects of the invention have been achieved.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosedherein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particularembodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing fromthe scope of the invention as det-ined in the appended claims.

`What is claimed is:

l. In a vending control, a stepper switch to indicate increments ofmoney of one denomination deposited therein, a second stepper switch toindicate increments of money of lower denomination deposited therein,money receiving means to provide electrical pulses determined by theamount and type of money received therein, means connecting said moneyreceiving means directly to at least Vone of said stepper switches toindicate money deposit thereon, a circuit means for each of said stepperswitches connectedV thereto and controlled thereby, and vendingcontrolmeans connected in series through both said circuit means Vforvending action when said circuit means are in predetermined operativepositions dependent upon lthe said stepper switches therein.

2. In a vending control, amotor, a money receiver, a contact device insaid money receiver and temporarily closed when money is depositedtherein, power supply circuit means including a relay connecting saidmoney Vreceiver means and said contact device to said motor to supply apowerimpulse thereto through said relay on money deposit, an outputshaft secured to saidmotor, a control cam on said output shaft, contactmeans operatively associated with said control cam to be closed upon thestart of rotation of said output shaft and to remain closed for onerotation of said output shaft, power circuit means for said motorconnected thereto and to said contact means to energize said motor forone rotation thereof upon temporary closure of said contact device, asecond cam carried by said output shaft, contact means operativelyengaged with said second cam to be closed a predetermined number oftimes for each rotation of such cam, and power supply and circuit meansconnected to said second contact means to receive impulses therefromdependent upon the money deposited in said money receiver.

3. In a vending control, a motor, a money receiver, a contact device insaid money receiver and temporarily closed when money is depositedtherein, a multi-contact control relay, power supply circuit meansconnecting said money receiver means and said contact device to saidmotor through said control relay 4to supply a power impulse theretothrough said control relay on money deposit, an output shaft secured tosaid motor, a control cam on said output shaft, contact meansoperatively engaged with said control cam to Abe closed upon the startof rotation of said output shaft and to remain closed for one rotationof said output shaft, said contact means and power circuit means forsaid motor being connected through said control relay to said circuitmeans to energize said motor for one rotation thereof upon temporaryclosure of said contact device, second contact means operativelyengaging said control cam to be closed a predetermined number of timesfor each rotation of said control cam, and other circuit means connectedto said second contact means through a contact of said control relay toreceive actuational impulses therefrom by closure of such contact means.

4. In a vending control, a stepper switch to indicate live centincrements of money deposit in the control, a second stepper switch toindicate penny increments of money deposit in the control, electricalcircuit means connecting said stepper switches together, separate moneyreceiving means for pennies and for nickels connected to said circuitmeans to provide electrical pulses determined by the amount and type ofmoney received therein, means connecting said money receiving meansdirectly to the corresponding one of said `Stepper switches to indicatemoney deposit thereon, a vend control circuit including a normally opencontact, and a relay having an actuating coil to close said contact whenactuated, said stepper switches being connected in series through saidcircuit means and said relay actuating coil-to provide for vendingaction when said stepper switches are in predetermined operativepositions. I

5. In a vending control, money receiver means for differentdenominations of money, power supply means connecting to said moneyreceiver means to provide power impulses therefrom upon money deposit, astepper switch to indicate tive cent increments of money deposit in saidmoney receiver means, electrical circuit means connecting said stepperswitch to said money receiving means to provide electrical pulsesdetermined by the amount and type of money received in said moneyreceiving means, said electric circuit means including pulse generatingmeans therein with the number of pulses being provided being dependentupon thedenomination of money deposited, said stepper switch indicatingtotal money deposited into said money receiver means, and operativemeansV connected to said stepper switch for energization when saidstepper switch is in a predetermined position.

6. In a vending control, money receiver means with separate sectionstherein for receiving different denominations of money, power supplymeans connecting to said money receiver means to provide power impulsestherefrom upon money deposit, a stepper, switch to indicate incrementsof money deposit in said money receiver means, electrical circuit meansconnecting said stepper".

switch to said money receiving means, said electric circuit meansincluding a motor, a cam driven by said motor and a pulse switchcontrolled by said cam including pulse generating means to create pulsesin said electric circuit means with the number of pulses being providedbeing dependent upon the denomination of money deposited, said stepperswitch indicating the total increments of money of any acceptabledenomination deposited into said money receiver means, and operativemeans connected to said stepper switch for energization when saidstepper switch is in a predetermined position.

7. In vending apparatus having electrical control means therein, astepping switch to indicate increments of money deposited, a series ofcontact means on said stepping switch to indicate the sum of the moneydeposited, power supply means, money receiving means connected to saidpowersupply means and to said stepping switch to move it increments ofmovement for each article of money deposited, circuit means connectingsaid power supply means to said stepping switch and to a contact meansthereon after money deposit, a stationary control panel with a pluralityof terminals thereon, individual lead means permanently connecting saidcontact means individually to diierent ones of said terminals, aplurality of vend select switches, and lead means removably connecting asaid vend select switch to a desired one of said terminals to controlthe vend price of a selected item.

S. In vending apparatus for accepting several denominations of money, apre-select vend switch controlling at least three sets of contacts,power supply means connecting to one side of each of said contacts, apair of different circuit means connected to two different ones of saidcontacts on the opposite side thereof to close power circuitstherethrough when the proper money for vend action has been deposited;said circuit means each including a stepping switch requiring moneydeposit of a predetermined amount to close a circuit from said powersupply means therethrough, electrically operated vend control means, andcircuit means connecting the opposite side of said third contact to saidpower supply means through said vend control means when said circuitmeans are closed through said rst and second contacts.

9. In a vending control, a stepper switch to record increments of moneyof one denomination deposited therein, a second stepper switch to recordincrements of money of lower denomination deposited therein, moneyreceiving means to provide electrical pulses determined by the amountand type of money received therein, means connecting said moneyreceiving means directly to at least one of said stepper switches torecord money deposit thereon, a circuit means for each of said stepperswitches connected thereto and controlled thereby and being madeconductive in one position of its said stepper switch, relay meansconnected in said circuit means for said second stepper switch andactuated by the initial deposit of money of lower denomination in saidmoney receiving means if said icrcuit means of said first stepper switchis not conductive, switch means connected in said circuit means for saidrst stepper switch to supply an operative impulse to said second namedmeans when said relay means are actuated, and vending control meansconnected in series through said circuit means for vending action whensaid circuit means are in predetermined operative positions dependentupon the said stepper switches therein.

10. A vending control as in claim 4 where means are provided to send vepulses to said second stepper switch by deposit of a nickel in thenickel money receiving means after said first stepper switch has beenmoved to an operative position by money deposit.

11. A vending control as in claim where penny return means are provided,and circuit means connect to said second stepper switch and to saidpenny return means to return penny change when said second stepperswitch is moved to an operative circuit closing condition by less thanve of said pulses.

12. In a vending control, a stepper switch to indicate increments ofmoney of one denomination deposited therein, a second stepper switch toindicate increments of money of lower denomination deposited therein,money receiving means to provide electrical pulses determined by theamount and type of money received therein, means connecting said moneyreceiving means directly to at least one of said stepper switches toindicate money deposit thereon, a circuit means for each of said stepperswitches connected thereto and controlled thereby, and vending controlmeans connected through both said circuit means for vending action whenboth said circuit means are in predetermined operative positionsdependent upon the said stepper switches therein.

13. In a vending control, a plurality of stepper switches to indicateincrements of money of different denomination deposited therein, moneyreceiving means to provide electrical pulses determined by the amountand type of money received therein, means connecting said moneyreceiving means directly to at least one of said stepper switches toindicate money deposit thereon, a circuit means for each of said stepperswitches connected thereto and controlled thereby and being madeoperative when its said stepper switch is in a selected position, andvending control means connected through all of said circuit means forvending action when all of said circuit means are in predeterminedoperative positions dependent upon the said stepper switches therein.

14. In a vending control, a motor, a rotatable cam means operativelyconnected to said motor to be driven thereby, one normally open and onenormally closed contact members operatively engaged with differentperipheral portions of said cam means with said one normally opencontact means being moved to contact closing position thereby apredetermined number of times upon a complete rotation of said cam meansand with said normally closed Contact member to be opened once onrotation of said cam means, a money indicating circuit means connectedto said normally open contact member to be controlled thereby, a moneyreceiving means, and a power circuit means connecting said moneyreceiving means to said motor and to said normally closed contact memberfor motor operation through one revolution upon deposit of money in saidmoney receiving means, said money indicating circuit means receiving apredetermined number of impulses upon motor operation.

15. In a pre-select vending control, a stepper switch to indicateincrements of money of one denomination deposited therein, a secondstepper switch to indicate increments of money of lower denominationdeposited therein, money receiving means to provide electrical pulsesdetermined by the amount and type of money received therein, meansconnecting said money receiving means to said stepper switches toindicate money deposit thereon by incremental movement of said stepperswitches, a circuit means for each of said stepper switches connectedthereto and controlled thereby, a different relay means connected ineach of said circuit means for said stepper switches but being connectedin series with each other and actuated by the deposit of sufficientmoney in said money receiving means for vending of the selected item,change return means connected to each of said relay means to be actuatedfor return of change for any excess money deposited in said moneyreceiving means after actuation of at least one of said relay means, andvending control means connected through both said circuit means forvending action when both said circuit means are in predeterminedoperative positions dependent upon the said stepper switches therein.

16. In a pre-select vending control, a stepper switch to indicateincrements of money of one denomination deposited therein, a secondstepper switch to indicate increments of money of lower denominationdeposited therein, money receiving means to provide electrical pulsesdetermined by the amount and type of money received therein, meansconnecting said money receiving means to said stepper switches toindicate money deposit thereon by incremental movement of said stepperswitches, a circuit means for each of said stepper switches connectedthereto and controlled thereby, a different relay means connected ineach of said circuit means for said stepper switches and actuated by thedeposit of suicient money of the diierent denominations in said moneyreceiving means for vending of the selected item when both of saidrelays have been actuated, and change return means connected to each ofsaid relay means to be actuated for return of change after at least oneof said stepper switches has been moved to a preselected position.

17. In a pre-select vending Control, a stepper switch to indicateincrements of money of one denomination deposited therein, a secondstepper switch to indicate increments of money of lower denominationdeposited therein, money receiving means to provide electrical pulsesdetermined by the amount and type of money received therein, meansconnecting said money receiving means to said stepper switches toindicate money deposit thereon by incremental movement of said stepperswitches, a circuit means for each of said stepper switches connectedthereto and controlled thereby to be made conductive for one position ofits said stepper switch, a different relay means connected in each ofsaid circuit means for said stepper` switches and actuated by thedeposit of sufficient money insaid money receiving means for vending ofthe selected item, a second relay operatively associated with said lowerdenomination money circuit means and connected to said iirst stepperswitch circuit means to supply an impulse thereto when actuated, a pairof switches operatively controlled by said second stepper switch to beclosed when said stepper switch is at its zero position, one of saidpair of switches being connected to said second relay to actuate it uponinitial deposit of money of lower denomination and supply an impulse tosaid ysecond-named means if said iirst stepper switch circuit means isAnot conductive, said second of said pair of switches being connectedbetween said circuits of said stepper switches to provides a specialimpulse to said second stepper switch circuit when said circuit means ofsaid rst stepper switch is conductive and said relay means thereof isactuated, and vending control means connected through both said circuitmeans for vending action when both said circuit means are inpredetermined operative positions dependent upon the said stepperswitches there- 18. In a vending control, a stepper, switch to indicateincrements of money of one denomination deposited in the control, asecond stepper switch to indicate increments of money of a lowerdenomination deposited in the control, electrical circuit meansconnecting said stepper switches together, separate money receivingmeans for monies of the dilerent denominations connected to said circuitmeans to provide electrical pulses determined by the amount and type ofmoney received therein, means connecting said money receiving meansdirectly to the corresponding one of said stepper switches to recordmoney deposit thereon, a vend control circuit including a normally opencontact, and a relay having an actuating coil to close said contact whenactuated, said stepper swiches being connected in series through saidcircuit means and said relay actuating coil to provide for vendingaction when said stepper switches are in predetermined operativepositions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,250,051 Patzer Iuly 22, 1941 2,474,843 Helsing July 5, 1949 2,627,962May Feb. l0, 1953 2,941,644 Zeigle et al. .Tune 21, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS375,264 Great Britain Deo. 24, 1930

